SaaS Tech Stack for Beginners | SaaSGyver

You could spend weeks researching tech stacks. Or you could pick one that works, start building, and swap things out later if you need to. Here's the stack I'd recommend for anyone building their first SaaS -- and why.

The Stack: React + Supabase + Stripe

That's it. Three tools. Here's what each one does:

• React (with Next.js): Your frontend. What users see and interact with. Huge ecosystem, tons of tutorials, easy to find help when you're stuck.
• Supabase: Your backend. Database, authentication, file storage, and real-time features -- all in one. It's like Firebase but with a proper SQL database. Generous free tier.
• Stripe: Your payments. Subscriptions, one-time payments, invoices. Battle-tested and trusted. You don't pay until you make money.

Why this combo? Each tool is best-in-class for its job, they integrate well together, and there are hundreds of tutorials showing exactly how to connect them.

How to Get Started (This Week)

1. Run npx create-next-app to scaffold your project
2. Create a free Supabase project and set up your first database table
3. Add Supabase auth -- their docs walk you through it in about 30 minutes
4. Build your core feature screen
5. Add Stripe when you're ready to charge (not before)

Don't add anything else to the stack until you hit a wall. No Redis, no message queues, no microservices. You're building an MVP, not designing for a million users.

What About Alternatives?

Sure, there are other great options. Vue instead of React. Firebase instead of Supabase. Paddle instead of Stripe. They're all fine. The point isn't that this stack is the only way -- it's that picking any proven stack and committing to it beats spending two weeks comparing options. Analysis paralysis kills more startups than bad tech choices.

Quick Takeaway

React + Supabase + Stripe. Free to start, scales when you need it, massive community for support. Pick it, learn it, build with it. You can always change later -- but first, ship something.